Winners, in the For-Profit Category:

CITYCENTRE, developed by Midway Companies

The award jury found it remarkable that this mixed use, town center-style development was delivered all in one piece. “The patient investment strategy allowed time to really have it all together before opening.”

“There was evident care given to the little details like street trees, signage and benches. Thoughtful streetscape design and public space make CityCentre feel like it has been here a long time. The architecture creates an understated canvas for the life and activity that goes on in the middle of it.”

In giving the award to Gulfgate Center, the jury praised the public and private partnership, saying, “It changed the neighborhood around it and that was its purpose. It takes tremendous courage for a developer to go outside the easy path. Taking a gamble on reversing a neighborhood in decline, this project helped bring an entire area back from the brink.”

Winner, in the Not-for-Profit Category:

Mandolin Gardens Park, developed by Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 230

Mandolin Gardens Park was commended by jurors as “a template for how to work with a Municipal Utility District.” The improvement over an unsightly drainage ditch and storm water retention pond, “gives an uplift in value to 18- to 20-year-old homes in a mature neighborhood. It shows a different way to see utilitarian drainage features as a whole new park system.”

2011 Houston ULI Award-winner Brays Crossing by New Hope Housing went on to win an ULI Americas Award for Excellence, earning it recognition as one of the best developments of its type in Canada, the US, and Latin America. Discovery Green and Brochstein Pavilion, both local ULI Award honorees, were also finalists for the national 2011 ULI Amanda Burden Open Space Award.

“The ULI Development of Distinction Award sets a high bar,” said Greg Erwin, firm-wide head of the Real Estate Development and Investments Practice Group for Winstead attorneys, and ULI Houston officer. “It is not enough to be a great single project. This award honors developments that make a positive impact on their surroundings and their larger communities. Our aim is to encourage more developers to imitate these best practices.”

The Urban Land Institute (www.uli.org) is a nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in sustaining and creating thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the Institute has more than 30,000 members representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines. For more information about ULI Houston, visit www.houston.uli.org